A writ of habeas corpus is a procedure for obtaining a judicial determination of the legality of an individual's custody. This collection includes petitions for writs of habeas corpus and the writs themselves, showing the names of petitioners, persons to be brought to court, nature of dispute or alleged crime, dates of writs and accompanying documents, names of judges, and names of persons that the writs are filed against. Petitioners include indentured servants, Freedom Seekers, free persons of color, convicted prisoners, those awaiting trial, relatives of prisoners, parties in child custody disputes, and relatives of army recruits and draftees.
A writ of habeas corpus is a procedure for obtaining a judicial determination of the legality of an individual's custody. This collection includes petitions for writs of habeas corpus and the writs themselves, showing the names of petitioners, persons to be brought to court, nature of dispute or alleged crime, dates of writs and accompanying documents, names of judges, and names of persons that the writs are filed against. Petitioners include indentured servants, Freedom Seekers, free persons of color, convicted prisoners, those awaiting trial, relatives of prisoners, parties in child custody disputes, and relatives of army recruits and draftees.
Lancaster County Archives has Habeas Corpus dockets:
1799-1978, ten volumes, record of writs of Habeas Corpus written.
1895-1983, 43 boxes, original petitions.
Notes
LancasterHistory is committed to preserving and providing access to materials chronicling Lancaster County's heritage. As a historical resource, this document reflects the racial prejudices and actions of the era. In order to maintain the historical integrity and context of collection items, LancasterHistory does not censor historical documents or edit language, titles, or organization names when transcribing original content.
Additional Notes
Person of color.
Suspicion of being a runaway servant.
Petitioner: Read, Thomas M.
Filed against: Eberman, Philip. His occupation: jailor.
Affidavit.
Habeas corpus, includes answer and decision.
2 items, 2 pieces
Access Conditions / Restrictions
Please use digital images and transcriptions when available. Original documents may be used by appointment-contact research@lancasterhistory.org at least two weeks prior to visit.
Copyright
Images have been provided for research purposes. Please contact research@lancasterhistory.org for a high-resolution image and permission to publish. There is no fee for publication.
Credit
Courtesy of Lancaster County Archives and LancasterHistory, Lancaster, Pennsylvania.
Case Number
127.000
Classification
RG 01-00 2313
Description Level
Item
Custodial History
Digitization of this document was funded by the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission, PHMC Appl ID # 202010016624, 2020-2023.
A writ of habeas corpus is a procedure for obtaining a judicial determination of the legality of an individual's custody. This collection includes petitions for writs of habeas corpus and the writs themselves, showing the names of petitioners, persons to be brought to court, nature of dispute or alleged crime, dates of writs and accompanying documents, names of judges, and names of persons that the writs are filed against. Petitioners include indentured servants, Freedom Seekers, free persons of color, convicted prisoners, those awaiting trial, relatives of prisoners, parties in child custody disputes, and relatives of army recruits and draftees.
This record group contains canceled orders that were issued by the county commissioners for payment to be made by the county treasurer. The orders show date, order number, amount, name of payee, purpose, and signatures of the county commissioners.
This record group contains canceled orders that were issued by the county commissioners for payment to be made by the county treasurer. The orders show date, order number, amount, name of payee, purpose, and signatures of the county commissioners. In the case of "poor children," teachers were reimbursed by the county for tuition and/or the supplies purchased for students whose parents were unable to pay. Orders include: Poor Children, Almshouse, Bridges, Coroners' Inquests, Prisons, Roads, Court House, and Tax Exonerations.
System of Arrangement
The record group is organized chronologically, then arranged by order number within each year.
This record group contains canceled orders that were issued by the county commissioners for payment to be made by the county treasurer. The orders show date, order number, amount, name of payee, purpose, and signatures of the county commissioners. In the case of "poor children," teachers were reimbursed by the county for tuition and/or the supplies purchased for students whose parents were unable to pay. Orders include: Poor Children, Almshouse, Bridges, Coroners' Inquests, Prisons, Roads, Court House, and Tax Exonerations.
System of Arrangement
The record group is organized chronologically, then arranged by order number within each year.
This record group contains canceled orders that were issued by the county commissioners for payment to be made by the county treasurer. The orders show date, order number, amount, name of payee, purpose, and signatures of the county commissioners. In the case of "poor children," teachers were reimbursed by the county for tuition and/or the supplies purchased for students whose parents were unable to pay.
This record group contains canceled orders that were issued by the county commissioners for payment to be made by the county treasurer. The orders show date, order number, amount, name of payee, purpose, and signatures of the county commissioners. In the case of "poor children," teachers were reimbursed by the county for tuition and/or the supplies purchased for students whose parents were unable to pay. Orders include: Poor Children, Almshouse, Bridges, Coroners' Inquests, Prisons, Roads, Court House, and Tax Exonerations.
McGuigin, Agness. Mother of McGuigin, Ruthanna, age 10.
Johnson, Christmas. African American. Father of Johnson, Jane, age 5.
Clark, Tom. African American. Father of Clark, Abner, age 5; Clark, John, age 8.
Oldham, James. Father of Oldham, Harriet, age 5; Oldham, John, age 7.
Brown, Samuel. Father of Brown, Thomas, age 6; Gray, Willimina, age 9.
Swagars, Widow. Mother of Swagers, Jacob, age 10.
Scotton, Joel. Father of Scotton, John, age 7; Scotton, Minerva, age 6; Scotton, William, age 9.
Dailey, John. Father of Dailey, James, age 9; Dailey, Mary, age 11.
Miller, John. African American. Father of Miller, Addilene, age 7; Miller, Charlotta, age 9.
Leek, Elizabeth. Mother of Johnson, David, age 10; Richardson, Stephen, age 5; Richardson, William, age 6.
Lewis, Mary. Mother of Lewis, Andrew, age 7; Lewis, James, age 10.
Evans, Joel. Father of Evans, Thomas, age 8.
Cooper, Alexander. Father of Cooper, James, age 5; Cooper, Pamela, age 6; Cooper, Rebecca, age 9.
Keys, John. Father of Keys, John, age 6; Keys, Margaret, age 8.
Crothers, John. Father of Crothers, Alphies, age 5; Crothers, Eliza, age 6; Crothers, John W., age 9; Crothers, Richard H., age 7; Crothers, William, age 11.
Carrell, Joseph. Father of Carrell, Elizabeth, age 6; Carrell, James, age 11; Carrell, William, age 9.
Norriss, Levi. Father of Norriss, Daniel, age 9; Norriss, Eliner, age 11; Norriss, Sarah, age 7.
Maxwell, George. African American. Father of Maxwell, Amos, age 6; Maxwell, Margaret, age 9.
Long, Mary. Mother of Long, Abner, age 8; Long, Kersey, age 11.
Ross, Isabele. Mother of Ross, Reason, age 11.
Drake, William. Father of Drake, John M., age 5; Drake, Mariam C., age 9; Drake, William B., age 7.
Armstrong, Edward. African American. Father of Armstrong, Francis, age 7; Armstrong, Jacob, age 10.
Peters, Abram. Father of Peters, Robert, age 8; Peters, William, age 10.
McCullough, Rebecca, age 7; McCullough, Reubin, age 6.
Milburn, James. Father of Millburn, Abram, age 8; Milburn, Ann, age 9.
Towson, Isaac. Father of Towson, Ephrim, age 7; Towson, Joseph, age 8.
McCullough, John. Father of McCullough, Margaret, age 9; McCullough, Rebecca, age 7; McCullough, Reubin, age 6.
Renolds, Job. Father of Renolds, Lydia, age 6; Renolds, Phebe, age 9.
Hess, Jonas. Father of Hess, Elias, age 6.
Pyle, John. Father of Pyle, Rebecca, age 7; Pyle, Sarah, age 9.
1 item. 1 piece.
Access Conditions / Restrictions
Request at research desk. Photocopy made by staff member.
This record group contains canceled orders that were issued by the county commissioners for payment to be made by the county treasurer. The orders show date, order number, amount, name of payee, purpose, and signatures of the county commissioners. In the case of "poor children," teachers were reimbursed by the county for tuition and/or the supplies purchased for students whose parents were unable to pay.
